Is the Maryland Do Not Call registry free?

Consumer registration is free in every state. Telemarketers may pay a fee to access the list for compliance scrubbing. You never pay to add your number.

Does the Maryland DNC list cover cell phones?

Yes. Cell phones are covered. The federal registry has accepted cell phone numbers since inception. The Maryland state list also covers mobile numbers. You can register any personal number — landline or wireless — to block telemarketing calls.

Does it cover text messages?

Telemarketing text messages are restricted under the TCPA whether or not your number is on the DNC list. Registration on the DNC list adds an additional layer of liability for any telemarketer who texts you.

What is the penalty for calling a registered Maryland number?

Federal TCPA: $500 per call ($1,500 willful). FTC TSR penalties up to $51,744 per call. Maryland state penalty: $1,000 per call (state attorney general enforces).

What do I do when telemarketers call after I registered?

Three steps. (1) Tell the caller to put you on their internal do-not-call list — that triggers a separate 30-day cure obligation. (2) File a complaint at donotcall.gov. (3) Document the call (date, time, number, company, what was offered). Forward complaints to the Maryland attorney general's consumer protection office.

Is registration permanent?

Yes. Federal registration is permanent — once your number is on the list, it stays until you remove it or disconnect the line. Maryland state registration is also permanent.

Home / States / Maryland

Maryland Telecom Compliance Guide

Q: Does Maryland have its own Do Not Call list?

Yes. Maryland maintains its own Do Not Call registry separate from the federal National DNC Registry. Maryland Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Division administers it. Telemarketers calling into Maryland must scrub against both the state list and the federal registry.

Q: How do I register my phone number on the Maryland Do Not Call list?

Register at https://oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/tips-info2?id=153. Registration is administered by Maryland Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Division and is permanent. You should also register on the federal National DNC Registry at donotcall.gov for full protection.

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated October 2019

TCPA Standard

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$1,000

Registration

Required

Overview Calling Hours Consent Registration DNC Compliance DNC Registry Enforcement Case Law Legislation

Maryland Do Not Call Registry

How to register, what it covers, and how to enforce — 2026

Maryland runs its own DNC registry

Maryland maintains its own Do Not Call list separate from the federal National DNC Registry. Consumers should register on both lists for full protection.

Telemarketers calling into Maryland must scrub their lists against the state registry AND the federal registry before each campaign. Scrubbing only the federal list is not enough.

How to register your number

Maryland State Registry

Maryland Do Not Call Registry

Administered by Maryland Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Division

https://oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/tips-info2?id=153 →

Federal National DNC Registry

donotcall.gov

Administered by the Federal Trade Commission. Free, permanent, covers landlines and cell phones in every state.

How long it takes effect

Federal: 31 days for telemarketers to scrub against your number. State registries vary — most align with the federal 31-day window. Reputable telemarketers stop calling within a week. Bad actors keep calling and rack up violations.

What the registry covers

Landlines

Yes

Cell phones

Yes

Text messages

Restricted under TCPA

What it blocks: Telemarketing sales calls and texts. Calls trying to sell you something.

What it does NOT block: Political calls, charitable solicitations, calls from companies you have a current business relationship with (within 18 months of last purchase / 3 months of inquiry), debt collectors, surveys, and informational calls.

Robocalls and AI voice: Already restricted by TCPA regardless of registration. Adding your number to the DNC list adds an extra layer of liability for callers.

Maryland state list — details

Scrub frequencyMust scrub against the Maryland DNC Registry AND the federal NDNC Registry. Telemarketers must obtain the most recent version of the federal registry and scrub at least every 31 days.

Consumer registrationPermanent

Maryland maintains its own state Do Not Call Registry where consumers can register by calling 1-888-795-0013 or visiting donotcall.maryland.gov. Consumers can specify which types of calls they wish to block (e.g., companies they haven't done business with, political solicitations). There is NO state telemarketer registration requirement or fee in Maryland. The "Stop the Spam Calls Act of 2023" (effective January 1, 2024) strengthened protections. Telemarketers must display caller ID, cannot block it, and cannot make pre-recorded sales calls (robocalls) without prior written consent. Enforcement: Maryland AG's Office. Telemarketers must scrub against BOTH the Maryland registry and the federal NDNC.

What to do when telemarketers call after you registered

Tell the caller to put you on their internal do-not-call list. That triggers a separate 30-day cure obligation under federal law. If they call again after 30 days, that is an independent violation.
File a federal complaint at donotcall.gov/report. The FTC tracks these and pursues serial offenders.
Document the call. Date, time, number that called, company name, what they were selling. Screenshot or save voicemails. This is the evidence you need if you sue or file a state complaint.
File a complaint with the Maryland attorney general. Maryland state penalties are $1,000 per violation, enforced by the AG. Federal TCPA also gives you a private right of action for $500 per call. File a complaint here →

Recent Maryland DNC enforcement actions

Chesapeake Home Warranty LLC

home_services

Apr 2024

$245,000 penalty

MD AG settled with home warranty company for robocall DNC violations.

Calling a registered Maryland number costs telemarketers: $1,000 per call under state law, plus $500–$1,500 per call under federal TCPA.

Running a telemarketing operation?

This page is for consumers and Maryland residents. If you operate outbound calls into Maryland, the compliance scrub workflow is documented separately.

Maryland DNC compliance for telemarketers →

Compare DNC Registry across states

Federal TCPA is the floor. Each state can — and many do — go further.

DNC Registry in FloridaFL DNC Registry in CaliforniaCA DNC Registry in TexasTX DNC Registry in New YorkNY DNC Registry in IllinoisIL DNC Registry in GeorgiaGA DNC Registry in WashingtonWA DNC Registry in OklahomaOK

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This is a compliance reference tool, not legal advice. Data compiled from public statutes, LegiScan, CourtListener, state AG offices, and AI-assisted analysis. Verify all information with qualified counsel before relying on it. Full terms & data sources →